COURSE DESCRIPTION. Dr. Jeffrey L. Richey Asian Studies/Religion Berea College x 3186 Draper 204-C

Transcription

1 AST/REL 308 Buddhism in Japan Spring Term 2011 MW 10-11:30 a.m. Draper 215 Dr. Jeffrey L. Richey Asian Studies/Religion Berea College x 3186 richeyj@berea.edu Draper 204-C COURSE DESCRIPTION Each time that it is offered, AST/REL 308 entails the close study of selected texts, practices, or experiences of one or more Asian religious traditions. Ancient ( CE) and medieval ( CE) Japan was defined culturally, intellectually, and to a great extent, politically by Buddhism. The legacies of this foundational influence still may be seen in Japan today. This term s section will explore three principal sects of Japanese Buddhism: Shingon 真言 (Esoteric), Jōdō 净土 (Pure Land), and Zen 禅 (Meditation). Sources to be examined include scriptural, hagiographical, literary, and liturgical texts (in English translation) as well as calligraphy, films, paintings, ritual objects, and sculptures. Prerequisite: One AST course or instructor permission Fulfills: Arts Perspective Caricature of Buddhist clergy, Heian 平安 period ( CE) 1

2 COURSE MATERIALS 1. Matsuo Bashō, The Narrow Road to the Deep North and Other Travel Sketches, trans. Nobuyuki Yuasa (London: Penguin Books, 1967) 2. Wm. Th. de Bary, et al, eds., Sources of Japanese Tradition, Vol. I: From Earliest Times to 1600, 2nd ed. (New York: Columbia University Press, 2001) [SOJT] 3. Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji, trans. Edward G. Seidensticker (New York: Vintage Classics, 1990) 4. Niwa Fumio, The Buddha Tree, trans. Kenneth Strong (Clarendon, VT: Tuttle Publishing, 2000) 5. George J. Tanabe, Jr., ed., Religions of Japan in Practice (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1999) [RJP] 6. Koyasan Reihokan Museum, Sacred Treasures of Mount Koya: The Art of Japanese Shingon Buddhism (Honolulu: Koyasan Reihokan Museum, 2002) [STMK] It is your responsibility to have copies of assigned materials with you in class. Online documents should be viewed on laptops or printed out as hard copies. No networked use of laptops or other electronic devices is permitted in class. COURSE REQUIREMENTS 1. Prepared participation in all class sessions (= ¼ of final grade). The instructor reserves the right to reduce the final grade of any student who misses class. Excuses for absences should be sought in advance, but may not necessarily be granted. 2. Submission of 10 reading responses (average = ¼ of final grade, pass/fail). These should consist of your comments and questions (not summaries) related to a particular week s readings, ed directly to the instructor by 8 a.m. on Wednesdays indicated in the calendar. They must be at least 250 words in length and be written in clear, error-free English prose. You may decide the weeks in which you will submit responses. Responses cannot be made up or submitted multiply (i.e., more than one per week). 3. Submission of 2 analytical essays (each = ¼ of final grade). By each of the deadlines prescribed in the course calendar below (pp. 5, 6), you must submit a double-spaced, 12- point-font essay of pages on a topic described in the course calendar at the appropriate date. Each should be submitted as an ed, attached Microsoft Word document. Drafts are welcome up to 48 hours in advance of deadlines. Students who have a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact Cindy Reed, LCSW, the Disability Services Coordinator at (859) , or by at Cynthia_reed@berea.edu, to discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation in this course. Upon request, this syllabus can be made available in alternative forms. 2

3 COURSE CALENDAR W 1/12 Introduction to course (no preparation required) History of Japan: The Asuka Period, pt. 1 ( _oxslntyk) M 1/17 NO CLASS SESSION MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY W 1/19 READING RESPONSE #1 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! The Lotus Sūtra (SOJT 55-59) Figs. 38, 49-53, 76, 78 (STMK 80, 90-97, ) The Vimalakīrti Sūtra (SOJT 59-62) M 1/24 Prince Shōtoku and His Constitution (SOJT 40-55) Hagiography and History: The Image of Prince Shōtoku (RJP ) W 1/26 READING RESPONSE #2 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! The Sūtra of the Golden Light (SOJT ) The Flower Garland Sūtra (SOJT ) Figs , 3 [2 nd sequence] (STMK , 140) Buddhism and the State in Nara Japan (SOJT ) Lynn Goes to Japan, pt. 9 ( M 1/31 En the Ascetic (RJP ) Buddha in the Land of the Kami (also available on reserve: DVD B ) W 2/2 READING RESPONSE #3 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! The Founding of the Monastery Gangōji and a List of Its Treasures (RJP ) The Merger of Buddhist and Shintō Deities (SOJT 121) Empress Shōtoku, Edict on the Great Thanksgiving Festival (SOJT ) 3

4 M 2/7 Kūkai and Esoteric Buddhism (SOJT ) Figs. 1, 7-9, 43, 63-64, 1 [2 nd sequence] (STMK 34-35, 44-46, 86, , ) W 2/9 READING RESPONSE #4 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! The Founding of Mount Koya and Kukai's Eternal Meditation (RJP ) Figs. 3, 12-13, 22-23, 88 (STMK 38-39, 48-50, 62-65, ) Koyasan ( M 2/14 Legends, Miracles, and Faith in Kōbō Daishi and the Shikoku Pilgrimage (RJP ) Between Two Worlds: A Japanese Pilgrimage (also available on reserve: DVD B565) W 2/16 READING RESPONSE #5 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Japan s First Shingon Ceremony (RJP ) Figs. 4, 14, 28-29, 44, 73, 82-87, 89-91, 9 [2 nd sequence] (STMK 40-41, 52, 70, 86, 119, , , 145) M 2/21 Onmyōji 陰陽師 (The Yin-Yang Master), pt. 1 W 2/23 READING RESPONSE #6 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! 1 Onmyōji 陰陽師 (The Yin-Yang Master), pt. 1 M 2/28 Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji, pp W 3/2 READING RESPONSE #7 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Murasaki Shikibu, The Tale of Genji, pp During weeks in which films are screened, reading responses should engage films as texts. 4

5 F 3/4 10 A.M. LABORATORY SESSION: BUDDHIST ART Guest facilitator: Molly Baker 11 Traylor (Art) Building M 3/7 Genshin, The Essentials of Salvation (SOJT ) Genshin s Deathbed Nembutsu Ritual in Pure Land Buddhism (RJP ) Hōnen: Choosing the Original Vow for the Recitation of the Buddha s Name and One- Page Testament (SOJT ) W 3/9 NO CLASS SESSION INSTRUCTOR AWAY READING RESPONSE #8 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! F 3/11 ESSAY #1 TO INSTRUCTOR BY 8 A.M.! In a double-spaced, 12-point-font essay of pages, discuss the relationship between Shingon and/or Jōdō Buddhist tradition(s) and a particular work of Japanese film, literature, or visual art. Cite all works quoted or paraphrased using a consistent documentation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA) both in your essay text and in an accompanying bibliography. In addition to at least 2 works assigned in the course thus far, your sources must include at least 4 relevant print or electronic sources available through Hutchins Library. SPRING VACATION M 3/21 The Lamentation and Self-Reflection of Gutoku Shinran (SOJT ) Shinran: A Record in Lament of Divergencies (Tanninshō) (SOJT ) Rennyo: Rennyo s Rules (SOJT ) Figs. 16, 36, 56, 58, 64, and 5, 8, 12, 20 [2 nd sequence] (STMK 54, 78, 100, 102, 109, 141, 144, 147, 150) W 3/23 READING RESPONSE #9 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Women and Japanese Buddhism: Tales of Birth in the Pure Land (RJP ) M 4/28 Jigoku-hen 地獄変 (Portrait of Hell), pt. 1 5

6 W 3/30 READING RESPONSE #10 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Jigoku-hen 地獄変 (Portrait of Hell), pt. 2 M 4/4 Niwa Fumio, The Buddha Tree, pp W 4/6 READING RESPONSE #11 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Niwa Fumio, The Buddha Tree, pp M 4/11 Eisai: Propagation of Zen for the Protection of the State (Kōzen gokokuron) (SOJT ) Drink Tea and Prolong Life (SOJT ) Murata Shukō: Letter of the Heart (SOJT ) W 4/13 READING RESPONSE #12 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Dōgen s Lancet of Seated Meditation (RJP ) M 4/18 Language, Ten Facilities for Zen Monasticism, and Essentials for Monastics (Shukke Taikō) (SOJT ) Dōgen: How to Practice Buddhism (Bendōwa) (SOJT ) W 4/20 READING RESPONSE #13 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Land of the Disappearing Buddha (also available on reserve: DVD L Disc 4 v. 9) M 4/25 Bashō, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, pp W 4/27 READING RESPONSE #14 ACCEPTED BY 8 A.M.! Bashō, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, pp

7 M 5/2 ESSAY #2 TO INSTRUCTOR BY 8 A.M.! In a double-spaced, 12-point-font essay of pages, discuss the relationship between Jōdō and/or Zen Buddhist tradition(s) and a particular work of Japanese film, literature, or visual art. Cite all works quoted or paraphrased using a consistent documentation style (e.g., APA, Chicago, MLA) both in your essay text and in an accompanying bibliography. In addition to at least 2 works assigned in the course thus far, your sources must include at least 4 relevant print or electronic sources available through Hutchins Library. All students will be asked to complete Instructor Evaluation Questionnaires (IEQs) electronically at the end of the term. You are expected to participate in this process. 7